News From Fort Schuyler

February 2, 2009 - Volume 9, No. 3

ONWARD AND UPWARD - Associate Professor ERIC JOHANSSON informed NFFS that Kirby Inland Marine recently announced the promotion of three Fort Schuyler graduates to Relief Captain, all from the Class of 2006: CHRIS SMITH( M/V Dixie Vandal), MICHAEL KLEBAN (M/V Dixie Valour), and NICK HENRICH (M/V San Jacinto.) A company press release also noted that, since 2006, Kirby has promoted 17 deck graduates to Pilot and that 12 addition graduates are in training as Apprentice Mates (Pilots) with anticipated promotion to Pilot in 2009. Congratulations to all.

RECOMMENDED READING - There is an extensive article on Oregon's Columbia River Bar Pilots in the February 2009 issue of the Smithsonian. No Fort Schuyler graduates are mentioned (have any piloted there?), but it is still an interesting read. "Running the Bar" by Matt Jenkins, pp. 62 - 69.

RAVE REVIEWS - "...Ed Villella sighting..." writes BILL CALDWELL 58."My wife and I attended 'The Ed's' Miami Ballet Debut at New York City Center ...words cannot described the level of dance perfection his ballet company has achieved...standing ovations..the performance was magnificent!! We had the opportunity to meet with Ed during one of the intermissions and he was, no doubt, very pleased with his performers' ballet debut. I think the word on the street was 'He nailed it.' Also, ran into TED MASON 57 who was also in attendance to watch Maritime's, and indeed one of the world's, greatest male ballet dancers. It was an exciting program." The critics agreed with Bill. The New York Times reviewer wrote "...the borough has had to wait too long to see this company, and it has been our loss. The Miamians - directed by former New York City ballet star Edward Villella - have had success nationally and abroad, while Manhattan has been deprived of a connection to its own dance history." (NY Times 1/23/2009) Nancy Dalva, writing in the Observer reminds us that the Miami Ballet's "..artistic director is Edward Villella, the world's original just-one-of-the-guys ballet dancer. Imagine the buoyant hoofing of Gene Kelly crossed with the macho wisecracking of the Rat Pack, throw in a pair of tights, a grin to die for, and a nonchalant elegance and natural courtesy that made all hearts melt, and you've got some idea of the charm of his explosive virtuosity." (New York Observer 2/2/2009)

CELEBRATIONS - A recent summary of marriages on Long Island included that of FRANK SHEA 2006 (Associate Degree) who wed Lauren Aquino on 20 June, 2008 in Valley Stream.

FAMILY TIES - We got a great response (over fifty and counting) with lots of additions and a few corrections to last week's Family Ties issue. An updated edition is in the works. Stay tuned.

ASSURANCES - DICK BRACKEN 56 responding to the item linking possible SUNY Research Foundation misdeeds to the college, writes, "Regarding the Federal Case cited in the January 19 issue of NFFS. Since the Class of '56 decided, in 2006, to entrust its large scholarship endowment (almost $500,000 as of last September 30), through the SUNY Endowment Fund, I have encountered many who confuse that entity with the often maligned SUNY Research Foundation. The Endowment Fund is for restricted funds earmarked for specific purposes such as scholarships. These funds cannot legally be used for any other purpose than that specified by the donor. The Research Foundation, on the other hand, manages unrestricted donations. Its primary function is to help fund research by SUNY colleges; however, since the funds are unrestricted, there is some latitude permitted in their expenditure. It has been alleged at times that some of these monies have been used either illegally or at least inappropriately. The SUNY Endowment Fund is managed by the University at Buffalo, while the research foundation is located in Albany."

GROUNDHOG DAY REUNION - Today 12 graduates from the Class of Oct 1946 are gathering in Savannah for their annual reunion. OTTO LIEPIN writes: "This is our 18th mini-reunion in a row ' seems like 'old salts' have a way to get together and 'splice some mainbrace ' or two.' Not too bad for a bunch of 82 year olds."

LOOKING FOR GOOD INTERNISTS - The Stephen B Luce Library invites students at graduate schools of library and information studies to apply for unpaid internships up to 20 hours per week for academic credit at the Luce Library. Intern opportunities are available for all library departments throughout the year. For more information contact Joseph Williams at the Luce Library jwilliams@sunymaritime.edu (Posted in December at the Central New York Library Resources Council website www.clrc.org)

HE GOT THE POINT - The college website reported that the captain of the Maritime College basketball team, TIM DOUGHERTY 1st class, reached 1,000 career points at a game against Mount St. Mary's on 27 January. He is the eighth Maritime College hoopster to reach this level of offensive excellence. Congratulations! (BTW - Maritime won the game by one point) www.sunymaritime.edu

WEATHER MAN - Readers of the Times Herald-Record in the Hudson Valley area have a Fort Schuyler meteorologist, TIMOTHY BABCOCK 77, forecasting their weather. Tim, who majored in meteorology and oceanography at the college, was recently highlighted in an article in the 26 January Times Herald-Record (See www.recordonline.com)

SHORT TERM COURSE - Commenting on the college's recent announcement of certificate courses, AUSTIN DOOLEY 68 waggishly asks "...a Weapons of Mass Destruction certification.... Is it true than it can only be used once?"

STONY BROOK LECTURE - Prof. JULIE WOSK of the Humanities Department is taking her alluring androids, robot women and electronic Eves on the road. On 4 February she will be lecturing a 'Speakers in the Humanities' conference hosted by SUNY Stony Brook.